of the earth-dwellers, their body and soul
together in the waters. Say what covers me
or what I am called who bear this burden.
A storm of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning on land. Ll. 12–14 refer to the Biblical Flood.
2 (K-D 2)
Sometimes I set forth —when none would expect it—
under turbulent waves, seeking the depths,
the floor of ocean. The sea is aroused,
. . . . . foam is tossed up;
the home of whales roars and rages.
Streams lash the shore, violently dash
up the steep strand with sand and shingle
and seaweed, when surging I struggle and strive
beneath the sea currents, stir up the bottom,
the broad sea deeps. Nor can I escape10
from the sea’s surface until He permits
who guides all my ways. O wise man, say,
who is it drew me from the sea’s embraces
when the surges again are stilled and quiet
and calm the waves which covered me first.
(K-D 3, 1–16)
and forces me under the broad bosom
of the fertile fields and holds me there,
drives me into darkness, where hard on my back
the earth sits heavy. There is no escape
from all that torment; but the houses of heroes,
their gabled halls, I cause to tremble
and shake the walls of the dwellings of men,
high over their heads. The air seems still
in the skies above and the waters quiet—10
